Oral Health

Comprehensive Exams

The mouth is often considered a window to the rest of the body because many other illnesses first present themselves as changes within the mouth. As a result, a comprehensive oral exam is recommended each time you visit a new practice to serve as a benchmark of your overall health.

During an examination, your dentist will perform a visual examination as well as a more detailed dental examination using one or more X-rays to detect:

New cavities

Weaknesses in already installed crowns, fillings, and bridgework

Gum or bone recession

Teeth deterioration due to abnormal bite, bruxism, or TMJ

Your dentist will also perform a visual and digital examination of lymph nodes throughout the face and neck, looking for any abnormalities, pain or flexibility within the nodes that could be markers for disease. Likewise, a similar examination of your lips, gums, tongue, and other internal mouth surfaces will be conducted. Again, this is to seek out any signs of illness or disease.

Since the comprehensive dental exam is designed to set a baseline of your health and to catch any early signs of serious illness that may be otherwise undetected, your dentist will be on the lookout for the following illnesses which can be detected during a comprehensive oral evaluation:

Diabetes

Leukemia

Blood pressure

Cardiovascular problems

Oral cancer

Immune abnormalities

Sinus problems

With a comprehensive exam every six months, we can manage small dental problems before they grow into larger, more complicated issues. Keep up to date with thorough dental checkups at Mt. Sterling Smiles. Call us at 859-497-4444 to schedule an appointment.

Gentle Professional Cleanings

Everyone over the age of four or five should visit their dentist for professional teeth cleaning at least twice a year. It's a procedure for the removal of tartar that may develop even with careful brushing and flossing, especially in areas that are difficult to reach during routine toothbrushing. Professional cleaning includes an examination of your teeth and gums, tooth scaling (removal of plaque) and tooth polishing. It involves the use of various instruments or devices to loosen and remove deposits from the teeth. At Mt. Sterling Smiles, we provide comfortable, gentle hygiene cleanings. If we find a cause for concern, we may recommend a deep gum cleaning to remove tartar below the gum line, smooth out surfaces where plaque builds up and eliminate bacterial infection.

Important Reasons to Get Professional Cleanings

To detect possible health risks, such as oral cancer and gum disease

To prevent tooth loss

To maintain good physical health

To eliminate bad breath

To have a brighter, whiter smile

The Teeth Cleaning Process

Physical exam, using a small mirror to check teeth and gums for any signs of gingivitis or other concerns

Removal of plaque and tartar, using a scaler

Gritty toothpaste cleaning, using a high-powered electric brush

Expert flossing by the dental hygienist

Rinsing, to get rid of any debris

Applying fluoride treatment, to help fight against cavities for several months

Mouth Guards

Custom-fit mouth guards are prescribed and created by a dental professional from thermoplastic material and are based on a detailed mold taken of your mouth and teeth. They can be made for either sports or for nighttime teeth grinding and are created differently depending on the intended use. They're highly personalized, as your dentist can adjust the thickness of the mouthguard, and they're designed to fit perfectly in your mouth with no adjustments needed.

First, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth. This is generally done using a dental putty that forms to all the crevices of each tooth and creates an exact mold of your smile. The mold is then sent to the lab, where the actual mouthguard is created. The structure is made by layering superheated plastic to precise specifications and is then cooled to create an extremely durable piece of dental wear.

Because custom mouth guards are so precisely made, they are able to provide you with optimal safety and comfort. The level of protection afforded by custom-fitted mouthguards is unrivalled by any other mouthguard, and their durability is enhanced by the snug shape, which hugs each tooth closely, eliminating unwanted movement.

Periodontal / Gum Disease Treatment

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is caused by bacteria in plaque. If not consistently removed, this bacteria builds up, infecting your teeth, gums and eventually the bone that supports your teeth, a common cause of tooth loss. Gum disease has three stages of progression: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis; the longer the disease has to advance, the more damage it causes. With advancements in detection and treatment, Mt. Sterling Smiles can discover periodontal disease early and begin treatment before complicated issues arise.

Mt. Sterling Smiles

Office Hours

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Mt. Sterling Smiles welcomes patients with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to receive dental services, we would be happy to provide one. Please contact us at 859-497-4444 to let us know how we may be of assistance.